Jack Miller is one of those drivers who is not having the expected start to the season. Before hostilities began, the Australian was designated as Dovizioso's successor in the official Ducati box. After three Grands Prix, he can only present two ninth places, one retirement due to a fall and an operation on a forearm suffering from compartment syndrome. And as misfortune never comes alone, when taking off his leather, “Jackass” discovered that he had to have it sewn up…
And yet, everything hadn't started so badly Portimao this Sunday. The Australian was in the leading group before making a mistake. The official Ducati Explain : " Aleix Espargaró was in front of me and I got close to him, so I had to brake a little harder and it blocked my front wheel "Says Miller. " It was my fault alone, a very stupid mistake »
« I had already made a small mistake in turn 1 which meant that Aleix was able to overtake me. I was on track to make up lost time and I had found my rhythm again, because before that the race was hectic with Marc Marquez and Mir at the start », Reports the 26-year-old pilot. “ I noticed that Fabio was moving away from the front, so I took the time to regain my regularity. Then I made the mistake. I'm disappointed and I'm sorry for the team ».
After two disappointing races at Qatar, Sunday in Portugal was therefore another setback for Miller. " The situation is not easy, because we want to win and be on top, but in reality it is not always like that », underlined the teammate of bagnaia, second in the Portuguese Grand Prix after starting eleventh.
Miller: “It’s very difficult, but I’ve had worse in my career”
« It's very difficult, but I've been in worse positions in my career and I've always found a way out. I am happy to have the full support of the team and my manager Aki Ajo. We are working and I am doing everything I can to get better. We haven't lost hope yet ", said the factory driver Ducati.
Jack Miller recognizes the merits of his teammate: “ Pecco had a fantastic race. He remained very calm at the start of the race and stayed away from the hard battles of the others. He drove very intelligently “, he clarified about the Italian. “ It's good for him and for the team. I hope we get to where we left off last year soon ».
Then Miller reports on his arm recently operated on for compartment syndrome: “ the arm was fantastic all weekend. At first I didn't notice, but when I removed the leather I discovered a big hole. So I had to get stitched up and the healing process starts again. Doctors told me to take better care of my arm now, motocross is also on the red list ". He has until the beginning of May to keep his word and find Jerez.
MotoGP Portugal J3: classification
Credit classification motogp.com
